One of the most discussed and acute issues among believers in recent years has been the vaccination of children. Opinions were divided. Moreover, both supporters and opponents cite many arguments as arguments.
What should I do? Whether or not to vaccinate a child against infectious diseases? We think that every parent makes the decision. However, having weighed all the pros and cons, impartially correlating the arguments of both sides. Keeping in mind that the main thing when choosing is to take into account the interests of the child, his future health.
The editorial office of the E-Islam portal also received several letters in which Muslims ask this question. We asked Yershat Ongarov, a well-known theologian, head of the Department of education and Internet propaganda of the DUMK, to Express his point of view.
- The question of the feasibility of vaccination, indeed, can be called one of the most urgent. I will try to analyze the arguments given by the supporters of the refusal of vaccinations, precisely from the point of view of Sharia. As a rule, those who advocate refusal use loud slogans as arguments, such as "Islam forbids vaccinations", "the Vaccine is the machinations of Shaitan", "Vaccinations violate what is predetermined by Allah", "the Vaccine is najasa", etc. However, official medicine, based on the results of research and statistics, strongly recommends vaccination.
Each side makes its own arguments, and it is difficult for people far from medicine to figure out whether to get vaccinated or refuse to get vaccinated. Based on the arguments of Sharia and medicine, I will try to answer the question " Vaccinations-Yes or no?".
Our body can acquire resistance to infectious diseases-immunity in two ways. The first is to get over it. At the same time, the body produces protective factors (antibodies) that will protect us from this infection in the future. This is quite a difficult and dangerous path. And it is fraught with a high risk of dangerous complications, including disability and death. For example, the bacterium that causes tetanus releases the most powerful toxin on the planet in the patient's body. This poison acts on the human nervous system, causing convulsions and respiratory arrest.One in four people who get tetanus dies.
The second way is vaccination. The body is injected with the causative agent of the disease — a vaccine or toxoid. The vaccine does not cause the disease, but causes the body to produce antibodies so that in the future, when faced with this infection, it will not become infected. The immune system reacts to them in the same way as to a real infection — antibodies are formed in the body
In the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) there is no open ban on vaccination, but there are all the prerequisites for claiming that it is necessary.
As a rule, XIV centuries ago there were no diseases that are common in the modern world. Even if there were, that was not the condition for the survival of pathogens that exist now (poor environment, public transport, places of mass use, etc.).
However, the text of the Holy Quran and the Blessed Sunnah point to the fact that we were protected from diseases and against the above arguments, which lead proponents of vaccine refusal:
· "...if wished your Lord, they would not do" (Qur'an 6:112).
The claim that something invented by man (in particular, vaccination) violates what God has ordained is absurd, since it contradicts the clear verses of the Holy Qur'an. After all, nothing on earth happens without the permission of Allah.
· The art of medicine and the gift of healing are not only the result of experimentation and luck, but rather the grace of Allah that he has given to his slaves: "And if I get sick, He [Allah] will heal me... "(Quran 26: 80)
* "Allah did not create any disease without creating a remedy for it" (From Abu Hurayrah). Imam al-Bukhari adds: "and medicine is certainly a cure for diseases." Also, the hadith "He who approved diseases on earth also approved the means of their cure", transmitted from Abu Hurayrah, and many reliable hadiths indicate that if there are diseases, there are also remedies for it, except for senile decay, which as such is not a disease. Therefore, it is groundless to say that it is necessary to abandon medical interventions, in particular, vaccination.
* The prophet (s.a. s.) said: "There is a cure for every disease, and when the cure becomes apparent, then the disease is cured according to the will of Almighty Allah." In saying this, Muslim adds that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged the use of medicines to treat diseases.
* "Run away from a leper as one runs away from a lion" (Narrated by Abu Hurayra). If you carefully read the text of the hadith, you can clearly see the recommendation for the prevention of infection with infectious diseases. The hadith does not say: "Sit next to the leper, so as not to interfere with what is predestined for you." An anological hadith from Osama Ibn Zayd narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a. s.) said: "When you hear of a plague in any land, do not visit that place, and if the plague appeared in the area where you were, do not leave there." This contains a warning against infection and spread of the disease.
· "He who eats seven `ajua dates at Breakfast will not be harmed by poison or sorcery on that day." This reliable well-known hadith indicates that we should take measures to prevent diseases, and that poison or disease can and should be prevented.
Opponents who argue about the harm of vaccinations, argue their arguments with statistics, which were formed, as a rule, by a small group of people – 200-300 people. Of course, this information may not fully reflect the effectiveness of vaccinations. If we turn to statistics from the world Health Organization (hereinafter – who) statistical indicators,clearly visible progress of decline in the number of cases the disease is controlled by vaccination:
- Between 2000 and 2012, measles vaccination has led to a decrease in global measles mortality by 78%;
- Diphtheria affects only 5% of vaccinated people (vaccination provides a lighter form of the disease);
- Immunization can prevent from 2 to 3 million deaths from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and measles every year. (Who data)
- Vaccination against plague helped to save humanity from the "black death".
Another interesting example is given by candidate of medical Sciences V. S. Ganin in the journal "Science and life" (No. 7, 2006).
Thus, in the Mongolian people's Republic, during the elimination of the plague outbreak, 115,333 people were vaccinated, and later only two of them became ill.
Now the Internet space is experiencing a "boom" of pseudo-information that recklessly give out medical research, and more often completely illiterate judgments are presented. It is worth noting that the data of their "research" is published not in medical journals, but on open blogs, where anyone can write what they want.
The experience of many countries shows that a failure of routine immunization for only a few years leads to the development of an epidemic at the state or regional level. Mass immunization has a positive effect even in an unfavorable socio-economic situation. Not only stopping, but even reducing the coverage of populations subject to vaccination leads to an epidemic return of diseases managed by means of vaccination prevention
Vaccination is the result of a centuries-old effort of doctors and scientists, whose beliefs are supported by scientific facts. And I urge all Muslims not to succumb to the provocations of supporters of the refusal of vaccination, approved in the"National calendar of preventive vaccinations of the Republic of Kazakhstan".
In the near future, the Spiritual administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan plans to issue a fatwa (religious and legal opinion) on vaccination.